Grasso wins one-sided decision over Clark in UFC debut

Alexa Grasso backed up the hype with a solid debut in the main card opener of UFC Fight Night 98 in Mexico City on Saturday.

The 23-year-old strawweight prospect thrilled the fans from her home country with a unanimous decision win over Heather Jo Clark in which she was rarely threatened.

The explosive striking of Grasso emerged midway through the first round. She clipped a lunging Clark with a kick, then followed with a combination of punches and knees that threatened to end the fight.

Clark made it to the bell, but told her corner she was having issues with her vision between rounds. Things didn't get any easier in the second frame. Grasso dominated the clinch action, kept Clark neutralized against the cage, and powered out of a late takedown attempt.

A bloodied Clark struggled to muster up any offense in Round 3, allowing Grasso to cruise to the decision victory.

It was Grasso's first appearance in the Octagon after making a name for herself as a star in the UFC's sister promotion Invicta FC. Her professional record remains unblemished with eight wins and zero losses.

Clark loses by decision for the second straight time and now holds a 1-2 record inside the Octagon.